Bradenton in centerfield when the Rays play the Marlins June 18

It's a chance to show off the city and county: Bradenton Community Night with the Tampa Bay Rays.

In its fifth year, Bradenton night with the Rays is one of the most popular nights for professional baseball among Bradenton residents. And it's a hit with the Rays, too, because Bradenton residents come out in full force.

Residents get a deal on tickets and  the city is featured throughout the game -- from the first pitch (either a local dignitary or local hero gets the honor of throwing out the first ball) to the seventh-inning stretch in which a Bradenton resident can lead the crowd in song.

"This is a chance to highlight Bradenton," said Dan Newhart, a group sales account executive for the Rays. "Before the game we put on a promotional video from the city, the mayor gets to welcome the crowd to Bradenton Night with the Rays and the groups that come out get their names on the board."

Tickets are already on sale at City Hall for the June 18 game, when the Rays play the Florida Marlins at 7:10 p.m. Residents have two seating options: for $10 they can get seats in the upper level overhang in left field, where previous Bradenton night seats have been sold, or for $17 seats in the lower level of the left field are available. The city has 300 seats available in each section.

Tickets are available at City Hall by contacting Tim McCann at 941-932-9497 or e-mailing tim.mccann@cityofbradenton.com. Credit card sales are not available.